Easy Energy Bites

Some days I just don't have enough energy. Sometimes I am looking for a snack to take with me when I go out on errands so I don't buy an entire Whole Foods store. Or a Chick-Fil-A sandwich. In the past I've tried making granola bars, other times shelling out cash for pricey Cliff or Luna bars. To be honest, none of those bars really cut it for me on the taste test. Yeah, they're ok, but I can't rave about the oatmeal-chocolate-chip or carrot-cake flavors that seem to be so popular. My solution is energy bites- I pack a couple in my lunch bag or purse when I think I might need a quick burst of energy or snack to tide me over until the next meal.

These energy bites are fast, simple and relatively nutritious. They are easy to customize and can be made in raw and vegan versions. So grab your measuring cups and a teaspoon and give these a try!

Easy Energy Bites

1 cup uncooked oats (I like to use quick oats since they're smaller pieces than old fashioned. Do not use steel cut for these.)
1/2 cup peanut butter
1/2 cup flax meal
1/3 cup honey
1/4 cup chocolate chips
1 tsp. vanilla extract

Combine all the ingredients in a bowl. Shape into balls and chill 30 min. Ideally, store in the refrigerator or freezer. (I often put a couple in a sandwich bag in my purse for a couple days and they're fine) Makes 17-19 energy bites/balls.

Customize: Add a cup of coconut flakes,  1/4 cup diced crasins/raisins, sub the choco chips with butterscotch chips. Sub in almond butter or nutella (cut back on the sweetener if you use nutella).

*I've made this before using granulated sugar when I'm out of honey. They still taste pretty good and stay together in a ball. The honey is a better binder for sure, though.

*You can see from the picture above, I go pretty scant on the honey. I don't like these to be too sweet. Chocolate chips on the other hand, get a heaping 1/4 cup. Seems logical, right?

*Flax meal is available at health food stores, and occasionally I can find it at Big Lots for super cheap.

Just dump everything into the bowl and mix.

This is what your mix should look like when you are ready to shape them into balls.

You can make the bites/balls as big or little as you want. I usually make mine a little bit larger than a tablespoon. 

If you make these, I'd love to know- especially if you're tried a variation of this! Happy cooking!